Amsterdam, NetherlandsWhat does Quantum Systems actually build?
Apr 11
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Berlin, GermanyMunich, Germany
Kyiv, Ukraine
London, United Kingdom
Athens, Greece
Stockholm, Sweden
Berlin, GermanyMunich, GermanyKyiv, UkraineLondon, United KingdomAthens, GreeceStockholm, Sweden
Products & Solutions
Virtus
Flagship VTOL loitering munition for mass precision effects. Virtus is designed for rapid launch from austere terrain, carries a modular payload of up to 5 kg, reaches 120 km/h+ cruise speed and 250 km/h+ attack speed, and integrates with Minerva for swarm and ISR-linked missions.
Vanta
Unmanned surface vessel family for maritime deterrence, persistent surveillance and multi-domain operations. Vanta is built for operation in demanding sea conditions, with up to 910 nautical miles of range, 45+ knot top speed, a modular 200 kg payload area, and integration with Minerva and maritime battle-management systems.
Minerva
Command-and-control software for unmanned systems across land, air and maritime domains. Minerva supports automated target prioritisation, effector selection, swarming missions and operation of multiple systems from one ground control station while keeping humans in the loop.
Videos
Stark unveiled Virtus, a kamikaze drone with AI and vertical takeoff
About
STARK Defence is a Berlin-headquartered European defence technology company, founded in 2024 by Florian Seibel (also CEO of Quantum-Systems), Uwe Horstmann and Johannes Schaback. The company develops unmanned weapons systems across air, maritime and software domains, supplying exclusively to NATO allies and their closest partner nations.
Offices
Berlin, GermanyMunich, GermanyKyiv, UkraineLondon, United KingdomAthens, GreeceStockholm, SwedenBacked by
Sequoia CapitalThiel CapitalNATO Innovation FundIn-Q-Tel8VCProject ADöpfner Capital
Customers & Partners
German BundeswehrTDW (warhead development and live warhead testing for Virtus)INLEAP Photonics (laser-based counter-UAS)Six Robotics (recce-strike capability)
Timeline
2026-02
Awarded a formal Bundeswehr delivery contract for Virtus (Rheinmetall cut from the programme); STARK's contract value could reach €2.86 billion with options.
2025-11
Selected alongside Helsing and Rheinmetall for a Bundeswehr loitering munition procurement of up to 12,000 units, with an initial allocation of approximately €300 million per company.
2025-10
Virtus drones missed all targets during trial exercises with British forces in Kenya and German forces near Munster; STARK publicly acknowledged the failures.
2025-08
Raised $62 million led by Sequoia Capital at a $500 million valuation, bringing total funding past $100 million.
2025-04
Unveiled Virtus loitering munition publicly, 13 months after founding, with systems already deployed in Ukraine.
2024
Founded in Berlin by Florian Seibel, Uwe Horstmann and Johannes Schaback.
Open Positions (123)
Head of Flight Test (all genders)
STARK Defence• Munich, Germany•Full Time
Munich, GermanyStrategyManager
2 months ago
C-UAS Flight Test Coordinator
STARK Defence• Munich, Germany•Full Time
Munich, GermanyOperationsMid Level
3 months ago
Products & Solutions
Virtus
Flagship VTOL loitering munition for mass precision effects. Virtus is designed for rapid launch from austere terrain, carries a modular payload of up to 5 kg, reaches 120 km/h+ cruise speed and 250 km/h+ attack speed, and integrates with Minerva for swarm and ISR-linked missions.
Vanta
Unmanned surface vessel family for maritime deterrence, persistent surveillance and multi-domain operations. Vanta is built for operation in demanding sea conditions, with up to 910 nautical miles of range, 45+ knot top speed, a modular 200 kg payload area, and integration with Minerva and maritime battle-management systems.
Minerva
Command-and-control software for unmanned systems across land, air and maritime domains. Minerva supports automated target prioritisation, effector selection, swarming missions and operation of multiple systems from one ground control station while keeping humans in the loop.
Videos
Stark unveiled Virtus, a kamikaze drone with AI and vertical takeoff
Open Positions (123)
Head of Flight Test (all genders)
STARK Defence• Munich, Germany•Full Time
Munich, GermanyStrategyManager
2 months ago
C-UAS Flight Test Coordinator
STARK Defence• Munich, Germany•Full Time
Munich, GermanyOperationsMid Level
3 months ago
About
STARK Defence is a Berlin-headquartered European defence technology company, founded in 2024 by Florian Seibel (also CEO of Quantum-Systems), Uwe Horstmann and Johannes Schaback. The company develops unmanned weapons systems across air, maritime and software domains, supplying exclusively to NATO allies and their closest partner nations.
Offices
Berlin, GermanyMunich, GermanyKyiv, UkraineLondon, United KingdomAthens, GreeceStockholm, SwedenBacked by
Sequoia CapitalThiel CapitalNATO Innovation FundIn-Q-Tel8VCProject ADöpfner Capital
Customers & Partners
German BundeswehrTDW (warhead development and live warhead testing for Virtus)INLEAP Photonics (laser-based counter-UAS)Six Robotics (recce-strike capability)
Timeline
2026-02
Awarded a formal Bundeswehr delivery contract for Virtus (Rheinmetall cut from the programme); STARK's contract value could reach €2.86 billion with options.
2025-11
Selected alongside Helsing and Rheinmetall for a Bundeswehr loitering munition procurement of up to 12,000 units, with an initial allocation of approximately €300 million per company.
2025-10
Virtus drones missed all targets during trial exercises with British forces in Kenya and German forces near Munster; STARK publicly acknowledged the failures.
2025-08
Raised $62 million led by Sequoia Capital at a $500 million valuation, bringing total funding past $100 million.
2025-04
Unveiled Virtus loitering munition publicly, 13 months after founding, with systems already deployed in Ukraine.
2024
Founded in Berlin by Florian Seibel, Uwe Horstmann and Johannes Schaback.
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